Personal data storage is an idea whose time has come
5 hours ago
- #Decentralization
- #Data Sovereignty
- #Web3
- Tim Berners-Lee proposed 'Socially Aware Cloud Storage' in 2009, emphasizing user control over data via URIs and global identifiers.
- Opera's 'Opera Unite' and Tim's Solid Protocol aimed to decentralize data storage, giving users ownership and control.
- Solid Protocol, developed at MIT, allows users to store data in one place, controlled by them, with apps requesting access.
- Despite Solid's potential, mainstream adoption remains limited, with Inrupt focusing on the enterprise market.
- AT Protocol by Bluesky offers an alternative, with over 30M users, promoting user-sovereign data storage.
- Personal Data Servers (PDS) or Pods enable users to own their data, with domains serving as universal handles.
- Data cooperatives, like credit unions for data storage, are emerging, offering community-owned alternatives to corporate silos.
- The concept of personal data storage transcends specific protocols, enabling users to restart their digital presence elsewhere.